US fears Turkey will launch new offensive in Syria

Barbara Leaf briefs Congress about rising concerns and diplomatic efforts to prevent such a conflict

Turkey has since last month threatened to conduct a new military operation in northern Syria to target Kurdish fighters. Reuters

The US fears Turkey will launch a new offensive in northern Syria that Washington has warned against, a senior American diplomat said on Wednesday.

"We are deeply concerned by recent increased rhetoric from Turkey about potential military moves into the north of Syria," Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf told a congressional hearing.

"We've stepped up our diplomatic engagements to attempt to stop that," she said.

Asked if Ankara would give up such plans in light of US efforts, Ms Leaf replied: "I couldn't give you the assurance that they are going to."

Turkey has numerous times since late May threatened to conduct a new military operation in northern Syria to target Kurdish fighters.

Among them are the People's Protection Units (YPG), which were supported by the US-led international coalition against ISIS.

Washington has repeatedly advised against such an offensive, which it believes could destabilise the region and jeopardise the struggle against terrorism.

The issue highlights the continuing tension between Nato members Washington and Ankara, at a time when Turkey opposes Finland and Sweden's bids to join the Atlantic alliance.

US Senate confirms Barbara Leaf to lead State Department’s Middle East bureau

Barbara Leaf has been confirmed as the head of the US State Department’s Middle East bureau. Here, she offers condolences to the President, Sheikh Mohamed, on the death of Sheikh Khalifa. MOPA

Ms Leaf has been serving as the National Security Council’s senior director for the Middle East. Antonie Robertson / The National

She was the US ambassador to the UAE from 2014 to 2018. Reem Mohammed/The National

Ms Leaf visits the kitchen before the Discover America dinner at Ray's Grill, Abu Dhabi. Photo: US Embassy

Ms Leaf at the Najah Education Fair at Adnec in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Ms Leaf attends the USA Healthcare Symposium & Showcase in October 2017 at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Ms Leaf, right, visits Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with Joe Biden, then vice president of the United States, in March 2016. They were accompanied by Yusef Al Obaidly, director general of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, left; Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Co-operation, and tour guide Ishaq Mohammed Al Mushairi, centre. Photo: Crown Prince Court

Mr Biden, centre, speaks with Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and chairman of Masdar, at Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, in March 2016, as Ms Leaf, second left, looks on. Photo: Crown Prince Court

US Secretary of State John Kerry, third left, with Ms Leaf and Ethan Goldrich, deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi. AP Photo

Ms Leaf, head of the US State Department’s Middle East bureau. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National